The night gradually darkened, and a bright moon was half-hidden in the clouds.
Tang Song closed the thick steel door, activated the warning formation he had set up, and sat cross-legged in the center of the altar.
Throughout the manor, among the decorative rockeries, flowers and trees, some equipment stretches out in all directions, forming a series of bright optical focusing mirrors.
More than a dozen table-sized optical focusing mirrors are aimed at the bright moon hanging in the sky. The moonlight is gathered together by these mirrors and transformed into strands of silver light that are projected onto the lake.
Suddenly, the calm surface of the artificial lake in Tang's Manor began to ripple slightly.
The bright moonlight seemed to be undulating on the lake like a silver plate.
The entire gourd-shaped artificial lake, the water outlet of the gourd, the silver moonlight is like a huge silver ball rising and falling, sinking into the center of the lake along the lake water.
The silver moonlight gradually turns into a pale blue moonlight as the lake flows.
In the lake, some koi fish seemed to sense an earthquake and swam in panic from the lake to the waterway of the manor.
Deep at the bottom of the lake, the hideous and bizarre white skeletons that had been still began to move, floated to the surface of the lake, and gulped down the essence of the moonlight that was dotted in the water.
And more moonlight energy flowed into the stone pavilion along the lake water, and sank into the secret room at the bottom of the lake along the four feet of the camel stele...
On the altar, thirty-six golden coffins of longevity and happiness were opened.
Thirty-six silver-armored corpses looked up at the sky and made the posture of celestial corpse worshiping the moon, inhaling and exhaling the purest Taiyin essence!
In the center of the altar, Tang Song sat cross-legged on a jade cushion, holding the Ghost Bone Banner in his left hand and pointing his right hand like a sword. A sword shadow that seemed to be real appeared.
As strands of pure white sword energy flowed, Tang Song carved fine spiritual patterns on the ghost bone banner.
The white bone flagpole is as thick as an index finger, smooth as jade, yet hard as iron.
Tang Song's swordsman moved and cut at the bone flagpole quickly, leaving dense ant-like marks on the pole.
Soon he finished carving a white bone banner.
Tang Song placed the white bone banner three feet in front of him and began to circulate the Tianhe True Essence in his body.
Slowly, I don't know how many cycles it has run,
On the white bone flagpole, dense spiritual patterns lit up, and wisps of sticky red translucent gas emerged from the flag.
This is the purest energy and blood force accumulated within the ghost's bones by devouring hundreds of lives and demons.
The Ghost Bone Banner is like a bone millstone composed of dozens of prohibitions and thousands of spiritual patterns.
The flesh, blood and soul of any living being swallowed by it into the banner will be shattered and devoured.
The bones, blood and flesh turn into nutrients within the white bone banner, and the soul nourishes the ghosts and gods within the white bone banner.
But the millstone turns and grinds nine times, leaving behind the purest Qi and blood power, which is comparable to some great Qi and blood medicines.
A trace of energy and blood began to flow into Tang Song's body from the white bone banner.
A trace of Qi and blood was constantly absorbed by Tang Song.
It penetrated into Tang Song's limbs and bones, strengthening his muscles, bones, qi and blood...
Tang Song made a lotus shape with his hands, and his ten fingers moved rapidly. Dazzling silver light formed complicated talismans in the air, which quickly imprinted on the acupoints all over his body!
Tang Song used a Taoist method that used external force to stimulate the body.
There are two schools of Buddhism and Taoism. Buddhism has an indestructible golden body, while Taoism also has golden tendons and jade bones!
Both are methods of cultivating the physical body, and both families also have their own demon-subduing Arhats and Taoist guardians.
But in fact, most people in Buddhism and Taoism still focus on practicing the Dharma.
Tempering the body and practicing both magic and martial arts are rare even in the Yama Continent.
It is for this reason that the sanctification of the flesh is so precious.
However, true disciples of Buddhism and Taoism naturally have their own ways to make up for the shortcomings of their physical bodies.
In Buddhism, there is Bodhi Elixir, which is said to be made by boiling three thousand kinds of medicine, and even contains the Buddha's golden body powder from Buddhist monks.
It is said that if one applies the essence of Bodhi all over the body every day, within sixty years, the body will be able to bind a dragon and become as powerful as a demon cultivator of the same level.
Although Taoism does not have as many golden relics of reincarnated monks as Buddhism, the effects of the Golden Tendon Pill and Jade Bone Pill of the Taishang Daode Sect are just as good as the Bodhi Elixir of Buddhism.
The method used in the Tang and Song dynasties was passed down from the Taishang Daode Sect. This method can stimulate the acupoints of the body and absorb the medicinal effects of the Jinjindan and Yuguwan pills.
Although there was no Golden Sinew and Jade Bone Pill available in the Tang and Song dynasties, the human body has great medicine. The blood and energy extracted from the ghost white bone banner after swallowing countless lives is no less effective than the Golden Sinew and Jade Bone Pill.
The person who originally created this method was a great cultivator of the Demonic Sect, who was also a genius in Taoism.
Taoism often says that the human body is a great medicine, which encourages people to explore their own potential. However, this person has gone astray and treated people as medicine.
In the end, he actually figured out something, which was this kind of qi and blood power.
In the ancient heaven, he would devour the mortals and monks of a country at will.
He is more ferocious than some demon kings and big demons, and can be called an unparalleled devil.
When at the Yuanshen realm, his physical body is comparable to that of a Pure Yang Demon Cultivator, and can be said to be invincible at the same level, and can even challenge a Pure Yang True Immortal across levels.
Later, when his primordial spirit turned into yang and he wanted to use the thunder from heaven to cleanse it, he was directly struck by five thunders from the former Jiu Tian Ying Yuan Pu Hua Tian Zun, and his soul was scattered to pieces.
This taboo method has long been lost in the continent of Yama.
The Tang and Song dynasties also found this method in the root imprint.
One shot, two shots, three shots, four shots...
Four ghost bone banners, the purest blood and energy of tens of thousands of people
It turned into wisps of red translucent gas and surrounded Tang Song.
Soon, a cocoon like crimson amber formed around him!
… …
"It's been three days! The boss hasn't come out yet!?"
In the small conference room of the Tang Song study in the manor, Kane used a knife and fork to cut the German sausage into thin slices, sandwiched it between bread, made a simple sandwich, and ate it in big mouthfuls.
"The boss has said that he will be in seclusion for at least five or six days, or as long as half a month. The boss will be at least a few days late when he comes out!"
Lai En skillfully picked up a steamed bun with a spoon, dipped it in vinegar, and put it in his mouth.
Next to him, a tablet computer was constantly refreshing information, and some messages that required urgent attention were deliberately changed to red.
Lai En was eating breakfast while busying himself with the matters at hand.
The normal business within the group has been handled by professional managers, and anything that appears on Lai En’s computer is confidential and cannot be known to outsiders.
Just like the international trading company they opened, in fact, it is a money laundering company that launders counterfeit banknotes, smuggling, money earned from black casinos and some inconvenient funds through this trading company.
There are four such trading companies affiliated with Tang Group, and the monthly turnover of each company exceeds 100 million...
The general direction of a company like this is controlled personally by Lai En.
"Hello, Mr. Justin,"
Lai En was checking a dividend account in Italy when the phone on the table suddenly rang.
Lai En took a look at the phone number, picked up the phone and answered it.
"You want to see our boss. I'm sorry, Mr. Justin, but the boss is not in New York recently. What can I do for you?"
"Not in New York! Didn't Tang just come back from Monaco? Well, when he gets back to New York, please tell him that I have something to discuss with him and need to see him!"
Kane stuffed the last bit of sandwich into his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed it.
"Justin Hammer! He's looking for the boss?"
Ryan put the phone back on the table after hanging up, “Nothing important. These days, Stark Industries has used all its connections and public relations to suppress Hammer Industries.
Justin Hammer's purpose in looking for the boss at this time is probably to let the boss act as a middleman to ask Tony Stark for mercy!"
"Stark Industries attacks Hammer Industries. Why? Is Stark Industries planning to return to the arms market?"
Kane asked with some confusion. He had been on the battlefield in East Africa for some time and didn't know much about what was happening in New York.
Moreover, Lai En usually takes care of the company's affairs.
Ryan picked up the cup of soy milk beside him and took a sip. He answered Kane's question without even looking up:
"Because Tony Stark suspected that someone hired by Hammer Industries had kidnapped Yin Fan Wanke!"
"Yin Fan Wanke, he is not..." Kane thought of Yin Fan Wanke, whom he had just met in the base a few days ago, and suddenly understood.
"I remember that we still have a large number of shares in Hammer Industries..."
"That doesn't matter. The boss bought the shares of Hammer Industries with the intention of going public through a backdoor listing.
Once Tang's Industries acquires Hammer Industries, it will become the largest arms supplier to the Federal Ministry of Defense!"
Kane listened to what Ryan said, silently took a silver plate, and silently began to cut the steak on the plate.
Forget it! Let the boss and Lai En do the brainwork.
... ... .
“Bang!”
In the top-floor office of the Hammer Building, Justin Hammer slammed the phone in his hand to the ground.
How could it be possible that he wasn’t in New York? It was obvious that this Asian man didn’t want to help him!
Damn bastard..
Justin Hammer loosened his tie and stood in front of the French window. His reflection in the glass showed anger, helplessness, and a hint of grievance in his eyes.
When he was in Monaco, he did think about bringing Yin Fan Wanke to his Hammer Industries to fight against Tony Stark.
But he just thought about it and didn't take any action.
At most, he made a phone call to find out the prison where Yin Fan Vanke would be detained.
Unexpectedly, Tony Stark hired someone to hack into his mobile phone, and then used this as an excuse to launch an all-round crackdown on Hammer Industries.
This was also the first time Justin Hammer truly witnessed the influence of Stark Industries in the military.
Several batches of weapons produced by Hammer Industries for the military were returned on the grounds of substandard quality.
Even when he used his connections to make introductions and gave money, he was unable to get the officer in charge of the acceptance to even raise his hand.
Someone from the Ministry of Defense said that if several batches of weapons fail to pass acceptance, the Pentagon will consider replacing them with a strong arms company as a supplier.
How long has it been since Hammer Industries became the arms supplier to the Ministry of Defense
If the Ministry of Defense kicks out the supplier for unqualified quality
That would be a fatal blow to Hammer Industries...
This is not just about stocks, it also concerns whether Hammer Industries can gain a foothold in the arms industry.
Hammer Industries must not lose its qualification as an arms supplier to the Ministry of Defense!
Justin Hammer stood in front of the French window for a long time and finally made up his mind.
I walked to the office, took out a spare phone, and called—
"Dududu—"
There was a dead tone on the other end of the phone!
"Tony Stark!"
Justin Hammer slammed the phone in his hand to the ground again!
... ... ...
New Mexico
In a cafe, Tony Stark, wearing sunglasses, took out the phone from his pocket, looked at the caller ID, and hung up.
"Who's calling, Justin Hammer?"
Opposite Tony Stark, a bald black man wearing an eye patch was holding a coffee cup. Just by taking a glance at Tony Stark's expression, he guessed the identity of the person who called him.
"You also placed people around Justin Hammer?"
Tony Stark looked at the chief agent in front of him and did not give him a good look.
After all, no one would be happy if they knew that the personal secretary they just promoted was an agent sent by others to monitor them.
Okay, Tony admitted that he had thought about sleeping with his new personal secretary.
Thinking about almost having sex with a female agent who is good at killing people in bed... .
Tony Stark felt a little, um, scared!
"Justin Hammer, no, no, he is not qualified!" Nick Fury smiled and said, "Relax, Tony, Agent Natasha is not here to monitor you, I sent her to protect you!"
“Palladium poisoning, your recent behavior seems to be indulging yourself, which is dangerous!
Could it be that the famous Iron Man can’t heal his own body? "
Tony Stark lazily leaned on a chair in the cafe. Hearing Nick Fury's words, he retorted: "I'm trying. Don't worry, I will definitely find a solution!"
"Time waits for no one, Tony. Your poison has penetrated deeply enough!" Nick Fury's one eye stared sharply at Tony Stark's neck, which was deliberately covered by his high collar.
"You don't understand, Agent. This is science. Do you know how difficult it is to find an element that can replace palladium among all the elements? I have tried almost all the elements..."
Tony Stark lost control of his emotions and scolded the ignorant agent in front of him.
“No, perhaps you haven’t tried all the elements. Your father, Howard Stark, upgraded the reactor himself after he and Anton Vanko developed the Ark Reactor!
I have some things your father left for you, I hope they can help you!"
"My father, what happened back then? Yin Fan Wanke said my father was a thief and a robber..."
Tony Stark looked at Nick Fury and asked hesitantly.
He was very afraid of hearing bad rumors from Nick Fury, which would destroy the lofty image he had always had in his mind.
But he was eager to know the truth, which was why he accepted Nick Fury's invitation to come here.
"Anton Vanke and your father developed the Ark Reactor together, but Anton Vanke wanted to use the Ark Reactor for personal gain.
Your father wanted to use it to start a world-class energy competition and improve the energy structure of the entire world. Later, something happened and Anton Vanke was expelled from the Federation..."
Nick Fury told Tony Stark what happened that year in a roundabout way.
"So what is the purpose of your inviting me here?"
Tony Stock listened to Nick Fury's story and made his own judgment. He took off his sunglasses, put them in his shirt pocket, looked directly into Nick Fury's eyes, and asked:
He has dealt with Nick Fury, a cunning agent, more than once, and he knows Nick Fury's style of doing things.
Neither handing over his father's belongings to him nor telling him what happened back then was the purpose of this spy chief.
Just like fishing, these are just the baits he casts, and what comes next is his real purpose!
Nick Fury calmly finished the coffee in the cup, then put down the cup in his hand and placed his hands on the coffee table to make his words seem more serious:
"Tony, the Strategic Homeland Defense Attack and Logistics Support Agency needs you!"
"Come on, a fashion magazine cover girl needs me more than your long and stinky bureau!"
Tony Stark pulled out a hundred-dollar bill from his suit's inside pocket and placed it on the coffee table.
"If you've called me all the way from New York to New Mexico just to get me to join your bureau, you're going to be disappointed!
Do you know how much my salary is
Oh, yes, I almost forgot, you also have to get dividends from Stark Industries every year!
Remember! I am the one who supports you!
I'll buy you the coffee this time! Bye, Agent! "
Putting down the US dollars, Tony Stark stood up and was about to leave.
Nick Fury looked at Tony Stark and said, "Tony, the Strategic Homeland Defense Attack and Logistics Support Agency and the entire world are in danger now. We need you!"
"World security, you should go to the World Security Council..."
Although Tony Stark said this, he stopped and waited quietly for Nick Fury's explanation.
"Tony! The enemy your father and I fought against together has come back again.
This time they are lurking in the National Strategic Defense Attack and Logistics Support Bureau, and even have people in the top leadership of various countries and the World Security Council!"
Nick Fury looked at Tony Stark and told him the seriousness of the matter.
Nick Fury doesn't want others to interfere in the internal affairs of S.H.I.E.L.D., but as he deepens his secret investigation into S.H.I.E.L.D.
The result was shocking. A large number of people in SHIELD were deliberately concealing something, including many senior agents at level six or seven.
Nick Fury didn't know who to trust for a moment.
That's why he approached Tony Stark and prepared to advance his Avengers plan.
"Hydra?!" Tony Stark pulled away the chair and sat down again.
He had heard stories about the evil Hydra from his mother since he was a child. The Roaring Commandos, the evil Hydra, and the righteous Captain America, all old stories.
But if Hydra really makes a comeback, Tony Stark can imagine the seriousness of the matter.
"You said they were hiding among you..."
Tony Stark stared at Nick Fury with a scrutinizing look. In addition to questioning, there was also a hint of contempt in his eyes.
Nick Fury's mouth twitched, and he sighed, "Back then, the Federation formulated a paper clip plan to target ** scientists, and absorbed a large number of ** scientists!
The Strategic Science Corps, the predecessor of the Strategic Homeland Defense Attack and Logistics Support Agency, was led by your father and also absorbed a group of surrendered Hydra scientists.
They are the problem!"
Nick Fury responded to Tony Stark with his eyes, the meaning was very clear, did you hear me clearly, this was the consequence caused by your father back then, I won't take the blame!
"Cough, cough!" Tony Stark seemed to have symptoms of palladium poisoning again, and coughed twice while covering his mouth.
"What are you going to do? Let me wear the Iron Man suit and kill all your people!" Tony Stark retorted!
"I have a plan!" Nick Fury pulled out a stack of photos from the pocket of his unchanging black windbreaker.
"I plan to form a team to deal with alien invasions, superpower crimes, and help us eliminate Hydra in the bureau!"
Tony Stark picked up a stack of photos Nick Fury had placed on the coffee table and began to look at them.
"A big green, shape-shifting mutant with iron claws, are you filming a cartoon, Super Boy?"
"These people are all candidates, and I will choose the real Avengers from them!" Nick Fury explained.
"Avengers, this is the name you came up with, it's not as nice as Super Boy!" Tony Stark complained.
"Tony, Earth is not alone. I formed the Avengers to tell those alien races that want to invade Earth.
Maybe they are very strong, maybe we can't resist them, but the blame will be on them. Even if we can't protect the earth, there will be Avengers who will find them and avenge them!"
Tony Stark was also a little stunned when he heard Nick Fury's tragic words. After a while, he shrugged and said:
"Alien invasion, that seems so far away from us!"
"It's not far away. It's just that every time the Earth is threatened, there will always be someone who stands up. This time it's your turn, Tony. This is your responsibility, and it's also the responsibility of the Stark family!"
Nick Fury looked at Tony Stark meaningfully.
… …
"Sir, we found the person!"
At this time, a middle-aged man in a black suit and slightly bald pushed open the door of the cafe, walked in, and interrupted their conversation.
Phil Coulson first smiled kindly at Tony Stark, then walked up to Nick Fury and spoke in a low voice.
"If you have anything to do, I'll leave first. We'll talk when we get to New York!"
Tony Stark looked at the two mysterious people, thought of their identities as agents, frowned, stood up and was about to leave.
"Tony, we came to New Mexico this time to find a potential Avenger. Now that we have found the person, we need to examine his qualifications and see if he is interested in meeting him!"
When Tony Stark heard Nick Fury's invitation, he immediately became interested.
... ... ... .
"You seem a little scared!?"
In the black bulletproof car of S.H.I.E.L.D., Tony Stark was surprised to find that Nick Fury, who always had a stern face and could not show any expression except seriousness, actually looked a little nervous.
"Who are we going to meet? The big green guy, or the mutant with claws?"
Tony Stark flipped through the photos in his hands, but couldn't figure out what abilities these people in the photos had that could make this spy chief nervous!
Nick Fury snatched the photo from Nick Fury's hand and stuffed it back into his coat pocket.
"He's not in these pictures, and to be honest, he was never on my radar if it weren't for the Hydra thing...
But his ability is unique. If he can control his ability, the strength of the Avengers will be taken to a higher level!"
… …
Phil Coulson drove and soon arrived at a bar beside the highway.
This kind of bar on the interstate highway has its customers all travelers traveling on this highway. At this time, the front of the bar is already full of cars.
This little bar without even a name seems to be doing pretty good business.
"Aren't you going in?"
The car stopped at the door of the bar, and Tony Stark opened the door.
But Nick Fury and Phil Coulson showed no intention of getting out of the car.
"Tony, I need you to help me assess this person and see if he has the potential to become an Avenger!"
Nick Fury pulled out another photo from his coat pocket and handed it to Tony Stark.
Tony Stark took a look at the resulting photo:
"A motorcycle racer?"